2015 Acura TLX
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
These records cover every 2015 Acura TLX. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
6 recalls name the 2015 Acura TLX. Newest first.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX…
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance.
Reduced fuel pump performance can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the fuel injection engine control unit (FI-ECU) software and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019. Owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's recall number for this recall is P3W. Honda's recall number for this recall is N3X.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura TLX 2WD and 4WD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the transmission wire harness connections may have insufficient crimps, and, as a result, the transmission may unexpectedly shift to neutral.
If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Acura has notified owners, and dealers will, based on the automatic transmission serial number, update the transmission software to prevent the transmission from shifting into neutral due to a faulty crimp, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2017. Owners may contact Acura Client Relations at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KC2.
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura TLX V6 2WD vehicles manufactured July 14, 2014, to November 12, 2014, and certain 2015 TLX V6 SH-AWD vehicles manufactured August 26, 2014, to November 10, 2014. The automatic transmission parking pawl may become contaminated or the park rod may become dislodged or broken. This…
If the shift indicator displays "Park" but the park lock does not engage, the vehicle may roll away increasing the risk of a crash.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the transmission if necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 30, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-310-783-2000. Honda's number for this recall is JM8.
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura TLX AWD vehicles manufactured August 26, 2014, to September 20, 2014. The affected vehicles may have incorrect values for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) front and rear printed on the safety certification label. As such, the vehicles do…
If the vehicle is loaded to the specifications listed on the label, tire failure may result, increasing the risk of a crash.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected certification label, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 21, 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's number for this recall is JK6.
I am reporting a catastrophic safety defect and a failure of a federal recall remedy on my 2015 Acura TLX. My vehicle was previously identified as part of the connecting rod bearing recall (NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000). The dealership performed the official recall inspection/remedy in February 2026. However, in September 2026, the engine suddenly developed a loud, metallic knocking sound coming directly from the motor. A metallic knock is the primary warning sign of imminent rod bearing failure, which poses a severe safety risk of sudden engine seizure and stalling while driving at highway speeds. I contacted Acura Customer Service to report that the recall remedy failed and that the vehicle is unsafe to operate. Acura corporate has completely denied my claim and refused to take corrective action, despite this being a direct, unmitigated failure of the recalled component. Injuries: No Crash: No Fire: No Speed at time of incident: Idle
While driving my 2015 Acura TLX, warning lights illuminate and the vehicle unexpectedly shifts into neutral while the vehicle is moving. When this occurs, the vehicle loses the ability to accelerate normally, creating a serious safety concern in traffic. These symptoms appear consistent with the condition addressed by Acura recall KC2 (NHTSA Recall 16V-640), involving the transmission wire harness/connection and transmission control system. The recall describes a condition in which the transmission can unexpectedly shift into neutral while driving. My VIN is not coming up under recall yet my vehicle has done this same thing multiple times over the past few months. I need my VIN added to recall list so this serious issue can be repaired under recall by Acura.
the 2015 1st generation Acura TLX is affected by a defective torque sensor inside the steering gearbox that malfunctions sending error codes displaying as LKAS, ESP, EPB, ACC, Driver mitigation control, etc. these driver assisted technologies are dangerous when faulty. a fault code triggered in the driver assist system tech causes the vehicle to lose power steering under power and at speed causing an unsafe operation of the vehicle that can result in death. Honda motor corp is aware of this because they extend the warrantee for this part to be replaced. Honda issued a superseding memo to cover the cost of repairs between 80-100 percent of the repair. the original TB (tech Bulletin) 15-056 was for 2013-14 Honda Accord, however the 2015 Acura TLX shares the design of that vehicle and supplied the parts for the first generation Acura TLX. the revision classifies the gearbox as no longer a controlled part, a replacement must be ordered when hard codes are repeating 53-02, 53-02. I have spoken to Honda and they are denying this issue is a recallable issue. it has to be recalled and if research is conducted I am sure that it will be seen to have caused collisions on the roadway, I have had several near miss incidents and my vehicle has very low miles to be affected by an issue like this and the car has never been hit.
As I’m driving my car will shift in neutral which I know this isn’t normal on highway, bridges even low grounds. Don’t see a recall on my car, but after researching I seen In September 2019 tlx was having some of the same problems different year. And this situation happen 3x so far til I afraid to drive it. Just driving smoothly then goes into different gear which can put me, my kids and anyone else in danger.
The vehicle is experiencing extensive factory paint failure and clear-coat delamination on the roof, around the rear windshield, C-pillars, and upper door frames. The condition began approximately 12 months ago around the rear windshield and has progressively spread to multiple upper body panels despite normal ownership and maintenance. The paint is peeling in large sections, exposing the underlying paint layers. Research indicates Acura previously acknowledged a similar paint adhesion defect affecting certain 2015 Acura TLX vehicles around the rear windshield and issued a warranty extension for some vehicles. Although my vehicle may not have been included in that program, the failure pattern appears substantially similar. The vehicle has not been involved in any collision affecting these areas, and the paint appears to be the original factory finish. The condition continues to worsen over time. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Acura Client Relations has been contacted, and a case has been opened requesting inspection and review.
Car randomly goes into neutral and stays in neutral not allowing gear change
The contact owns a 2015 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle had suddenly began to shake and rattle and eventually stalled. The contact able to restart the vehicle and continued to drive. Over time the failure continued to occur more frequently. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was later repair by a local mechanic. The manufacturer was contact regarding the failure and informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000(FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 89,000.
The emergency brake system continues to come on and read all the type of stuff on the screen, as well as the LKAS keeps coming on the screen showing problems and when it does, the transmission or engines stalls a little and slows up and speed down on its on
The contact owns a 2015 Acura TLX. The contact stated that the rear-view camera displayed a distorted image while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The failure obstructed the driver's visibility, which prevented the driver from safely operating the vehicle. The contact stated that the image was being blocked. Additionally, the rear-view mirror had dark sunspots that obstructed the driver's visibility. Most recently, the contact became aware that the driver’s seat was fractured where the seat adjust buttons were located. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Vehicle displays two warnings under normal usage. First warning is Emissions system issue and second is Brake System Failure. The Vehicle runs completely normal and operational, however these two warnings flash on the vehicle. The parking brake indicator also flashes. Vehicle has been to dealership/shop for multiple repairs; around 3-4 repairs within two months with no resolve for the same warning/issue.
The vehicle is throwing a steering code of LSAK. The steering is being compromised as the vehicle cannot determine if it is being steered correctly or not. After researching this code, I have seen hundreds of other people so far complaining about the same code for this year, make and model. One person had stated that his steering stopped mid way on his drive. I looked up the prices of correcting this issue and it ranges anywhere form 1800.00 to 2000 .00. My vehicle only has 65,000 miles on it and this is a potentially very dangerous situation. With the hundreds of customers that I have seen so far that are complaining of the same issue, I do not feel that this should be the customers responsibility to fix but rather a recall or at the very least a class action lawsuit if the dealer will not correct this potentially very dangerous issue.
The contact owns a 2015 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer was contacted several times for the recall repair; however, the dealer informed the contact that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to veer to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to Firestone, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized. The vehicle was not repaired and was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The message to stop driving and have the vehicle serviced immediately was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that the Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) warmer had failed. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with other undisclosed failures due to the ATF warmer failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failures and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
My 2015 Acura TLX’s engine has internal issues with rod bearings, as mentioned in other recalls of the same year, yet my VIN does not fall within the recall.
The fuel delivery system, specifically the fuel pump, has malfunctioned. This vehicle is subject to a fuel pump safety recall, which was reportedly repaired in 2022; however, the vehicle continues to experience the same failure symptoms and is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle has stalled multiple times at highway speeds, resulting in sudden loss of power while driving and creating an immediate risk of collision with surrounding traffic. My family was in the vehicle during these incidents, significantly increasing the risk of serious injury or death. The problem has been reproduced multiple times, including after the vehicle was taken to an authorized Acura dealership. During the most recent visit, diagnostic trouble codes were cleared, but the recalled fuel pump was not repaired or replaced. After being released by the dealership, the vehicle stalled again under similar driving conditions. The vehicle was inspected by the dealership, but no corrective repair was performed beyond clearing codes. The manufacturer has not yet properly remedied the recurring safety defect. Prior to stalling, the vehicle exhibited intermittent hesitation, loss of power, and engine shutdown. Warning indicators and fault codes were present at times and were cleared by the dealership without resolving the underlying issue. These symptoms have continued intermittently since the recall repair. This appears to be a failure to properly diagnose and correct a known safety defect, resulting in repeated dangerous highway stalls and placing occupants at serious risk.
The contact owns a 2015 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of a manufacturer’s recall: 2062837681, for the crankshaft bearing, and took the vehicle to the dealer for the repair. The vehicle was repaired; however, three weeks after the repair, the vehicle started making a knocking sound while accelerating or while idling. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that oil was leaking from the vehicle and that the timing belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After retrieving the vehicle from the dealer, the contact became aware that oil was still leaking from the vehicle, with an abnormal odor coming from the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 122,312.
The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2015 Acura TLX. The contact's son received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer had cancelled all three recall repair appointments because a technician was not available to repair the vehicle. Most recently, the contact's son was informed that the vehicle needed to be inspected to determine whether the recall repair was needed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The vehicle owner had not experienced a failure.
Subject: Complaint - Safety Recall Failure (#23V75100) - Engine Failure Summary: This is a complaint regarding a failure of the safety recall repair performed under Recall #23V75100, which addressed a rod bearing issue that can cause engine failure. Details: 1. On or about April 4, 2024, Southern Acura of Newport News, VA replaced the long block under Recall #23V75100 after the original engine failed at approximately 130,810 miles. 2. On or about September 5, 2024, at approximately 173,722 miles, the replacement engine failed again. 3.The vehicle is currently located at Hall Acura of Virginia Beach, VA. , where the dealership has verified that the engine is seized and available for inspection. 4. The failure occurred while driving at approximately 70 mph in a construction zone, where there was no immediate shoulder or safe area to pull off. The sudden loss of power nearly caused a rear- end collision. 5.An independent service center, American Pride - Fort Eustis in Newport News, VA., also verified the problem and found metal shavings and bearing metal coming from the oil pan. 6. There were no warning lamps or alerts prior to the engine failure; all warning lights illuminated only after the loss of power
The contact owns a 2015 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while her grandson was driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact called for tow truck service, but the tow truck driver was unable to shift the transmission into neutral(N). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the mechanic was unable to work on the engine and transmission failures. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer and was informed that there would be a cost for the vehicle to be diagnosed. The contact requested a diagnostic test and was informed by the dealer that there was a hole in the oil pan, causing engine oil to leak out and causing the vehicle to stall. The contact had called the Insurance Company about the hole in the oil pan and was advised to have the oil pan and engine inspected. The dealer found that the hole in the oil pan had been caused by a fractured crankshaft that punctured the oil pan. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.
As I was driving my 2015 Acura TLX the status indicator on the dashboard started flashing all sort of messages, VSA, transmission, park, so on and so forth. Atleast 5-10 different messages displayed and all sorts of warning lights showed up. The vehicle then shifted to Neutral (N) and flashed N repeatedly. I was able to pull off the road safely but I was unable to put the car in Park, Drive, Reverse. I was only able to use the parking brake and shut the car off. I tried turning the vehicle on twice and both times it was in Neutral. After letting the car sit for 30 minutes I tried starting it again and at that point the vehicle was in park and only displayed approximately 3 messages; I was able to drive the vehicle again. I’ve owned this vehicle for 10 years and it’s gone into Neutral once before. I’ve also had the vehicle display multiple messages while driving. The vehicle was drivable with the few messages and after a few days the messages went away and functioned normally.
My 17 year old son drove across town about 6-7 miles from home, on a back road. Out of nowhere, his 2015 TLX started to make a sound like knocking or thumping. Just moments afterwards, most if not all of the engine warning lamps illuminated at once.. He pulled off as best he could there was a loss of power and massive amounts of steam pouring out from the under hood. At sunrise I went to the car to wait for AAA I was astonished at the mess on the pavement under and around the car, and even more surprised to hear from my mechanic told that the engine had seized. I remember my mechanic using the word "warped" to describe it to me. I had him replace the engine, as I was I unaware of the recall at that time. It was not inspected by anyone besides my mechanic.
The contact's client owns a 2015 Acura TLX. The contact stated while the client was driving 65 MPH, the vehicle shut down in the middle of traffic. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the transmission failed to shift into drive or reverse. Additionally, there was an unknown failure with the brakes and transmission. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the instrument cluster had failed and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the driver suffered a stroke after the failure, and medical attention was provided. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Acura TLX. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle vibrated abnormally. The contact became aware that the front axle had detached from the vehicle. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 94,906.
Connecting rod bearing seizure leading to engine failure on the TLX 2018 engine 3.5 liter V6 engine. Our 2015 TLX Acura we had to replace our engine because of the connecting rod bearing seizure and our extended warranty covered it around 2020. In 2023 the second the Acura motor which is TLX 2018 engine 3.5 liter V6 failed due to same problem, connecting rod bearing seizure. Acura will not do a recall on that motor. They say because its was manufacture in a different warehouse its not covered or a problem. I know there are other people struggling with the same issues on the 2018 engine. I know there are other investigations on this motor.
EVERYTHING PREVIOUSLY REPORTED ( ON OTHER INCIDENTS REPORTS) HAPPENED WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY! YOU NEED TO CORRECT THIS!!! [XXX] NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11641522 Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL NHTSA ID Number: 11641522 Incident Date [XXX] Consumer Location TEMPE, AZ Vehicle Identification Number [XXX] *** Summary of Complaint CRASHNo FIRENo INJURIES0 DEATHS0 I was driving on the freeway going at the speed of traffic about 65-70mph then suddenly I heard my car engine slowing down and multiple lights popped up on my dashboard. I looked at my speedometer and it indeed was decreasing in speed. I tried to accelerate little by little and it did not. My check brake system, check brake hold system, check power steering system, check VSA system, check hillstart assist system, check emission system lights popped up on my dashboard. My car felt like I was popping the clutch, jerking a lot. I was able to move over to the right shoulder and park. I turned the car off and I was able to turn it back on unfortunately but the lights were still popping up and my car kept jerking and not accelerating. This happened while driving on the highway this is extremely dangerous! There has been others with the same issue. 1 Affected Product Copy Link to Information July 12, 2024 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11601499 Components: POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL NHTSA ID Number: 11601499 Incident Date [XXX] Consumer Location HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA Vehicle Identification Number [XXX] Summary of Complaint CRASHNo FIRENo INJURIES0 DEATHS0 While driving on the freeway/highway my vehicle went into limp mode and shifted into neutral. My vehicle would not allow me to shift gears and the car would not let me accelerate anymore. I had to think quickly and move out from upcoming traffic. With little speed I had on my vehicle I could only shut down the car and wait for a tow truck. T INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.NHTSA has reviewed Honda's Information Request Letter responses involving warranty claims, lawsuits, and consumer complaints in addition to ODI's own data. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further consider the potential safety defect, including gathering additional data regarding Honda’s service campaign efficacy. ODI is additionally expanding the scope to encompass all vehicles addressed in Honda’s service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009 as well as newer model year vehicles, which are substantially similar to the vehicles covered by the service campaign. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications. The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU. In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment. FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle. Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW. These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes. An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time. In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU. This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners. Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW. The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation. The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage. There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation. The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU. If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC. Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC. All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled. In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024. With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.